SKELETON OF THE EAGLE. 



719 



missible. The lumbar and the sacral vertebrse, and the entire pelvis, 

 are therefore at an early period solidly united together by anchylosis 

 into one bone, and the 



number of the vertebrae Fi S- 354 - 



composing this part of 

 the skeleton is only di- 

 stinguishable from the 

 situation of the interver- 

 tebral foramina through 

 which the spinal nerves 

 are given off. In veiy 

 young birds the pelvis 

 is evidently formed by 

 the three elements that 

 usually enter into its 

 composition ; and the 

 ilium, the ischium, and 

 the pubis, as well as the 

 ischiadic notch and obtu- 

 rator foramen, will all 

 be at once recognized by Skeleton of Eagle, 



the anatomist, occupying 



their usual relative positions, although he will not fail to notice one 

 remarkable circumstance, namely that, except in one instance (the 

 Ostrich), the ossa pubis do not meet in front, so that there is no pubic 



arch or symphysis. 



Fig. 355. 



Wing of Bird. 



(2038.) The anterior extremity of a bird, although an instrument 

 of flight, is found, when stripped of those feathers and long quills that 

 form the extensive surface presented by this member during life, still 

 closely to adhere to the general type in accordance with which this 



